Beer Wurlitzer fundraising week starts on Saturday

THE Beer Wurlitzer’s annual fundraising week starts tomorrow, Saturday, August 20.

Held at the Congregational Church, Fore Street, Beer, the first performance to raise funds for England’s oldest Wurlitzer cinema organ, will be tomorrow afternoon at 2pm, when Matthew Bason presents his one-man music show, featuring piano, accordion and the Wurlitzer.

Admission is �6 to include refreshments.

On Monday, at the open day, there will be a chance, not only to see the Wurlitzer, but also hear about its history and listen to it being played. There will also be a question and answer session.

Robin Roper, resident organist at Dingles Fairground Heritage Museum, will perform a lunchtime concert from 1pm on Tuesday, August 23.

Later that evening, at 7pm, the story of the Beer Wurlitzer will be narrated by Glen Twamley and musically illustrated by international recording and broadcasting organist Trevor Bolshaw.

A second open day follows on Thursday, August 25, from 11am to 4pm to round off the week’s events.

You can check out the website: www.beerwurlitzer.co.cc for more information.

Arthur Thorn bought the organ and brought it to Beer in 1957. It fell into disrepair in 1987 and again, after repairs, in 1998.

Beer Congregational Church, considered selling it and local organ builder Michael Farley looked after it for a few years.

In 2008 it was agreed to restore it to its former glory and it entertains on a monthly basis as well as accompanying church services on a Sunday.